Romans 2:6

The context

This is the thesis statement of the judgment argument that occupies the rest of chapter two. Paul has just denied that God shows partiality between Jew and Greek, and he now states the principle on which that impartiality rests. The verses immediately following spell out the two outcomes in parallel.

What it establishes

It establishes that God's assessment is moral and individual, and that it takes conduct seriously rather than status. The quotation of the principle carries the weight of scripture behind it.

What it does not establish

It does not stand alone. Paul's argument proceeds to universal indictment, and later in the same letter he insists that no one is justified by works of law. Treating this verse as a complete doctrine of salvation, in either direction, ignores the argument it belongs to.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• How can Hell be eternal when people commit only a finite number of sins?

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.